Taxonomic clarification of Silene dawoensis (Caryophyllaceae): synonymization with S. batangensis and reinstatement of S. longiuscula Author Yang, Feng School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China Author Wang, Huan-Chong 0000-0001-8562-8849 School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China & Herbarium of Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, Yunnan, China text PhytoKeys 2025 2025-06-03 257 51 64 journal article 310191 10.3897/phytokeys.257.153202 047cc77f-4db0-4281-bbca-66fac2a93067 Silene markamensis L. H. Zhou in Fl. Xizang . 1: 734 (1983). Type. China • Xizang , Mangkang County , on the road from Mangkang to Batang , 3000 m , 9 September 1977 , B. Z. Guo and W. Y. Wang 23584 ( Holotype : HQ, Isotypes : HNWP [ HNWP 68194 , HNWP 187674 , HNWP 183901 ]). — Fig. 1 D . Description. Herbs perennial, 30–80 cm long. Roots robust, conical, lignified. Stems erect or ascending, multibranched from woody base, glabrous or sparsely hairy, apically viscid. Basal leaves patulate-oblanceolate, withered at anthesis; cauline leaves with short sterile axillary branches, linear or linear-lanceolate, (1.5 –) 3–5 (– 6) cm long, 2–5 mm wide, base cuneate or attenuate, glabrous, apex acuminate, midvein prominent. Flowers erect, in a lax, few-flowered thyrse; cymules with peduncles subequaling pedicels, opposite or alternate, often 1 - flowered. Pedicel 0.5–4 cm long, slender, glabrous, viscid; bracts linear, 5–10 mm long, ciliate. Calyx tubular, clavate in fruit, pale yellow, 2.5–3.5 cm long, ca. 3 mm in diam., glabrous, veins green or violet; calyx teeth ca. 1.5 mm . Androgynophore 1.5–2.0 cm long, glabrous. Petal claws slightly exserted beyond calyx, narrowly lanceolate, 1–1.5 cm , glabrous, not auriculate, limbs pale red or white, obcordate or obovate, 1–1.4 cm , divided to about halfway; lobes narrowly ovate, entire; coronal scales very small. Stamens and styles exserted; filaments glabrous. Ovary oblong, ca. 1 cm long; styles 3, ca. 1.3 cm long. Capsule oblong, 1.0– 1.5 cm long. Seeds dark brown, reniform, slightly flat, ca. 1.2 mm , with a groove along the ridge, forming a shallow “ V ” shape. Phenology. Silene markamensis was observed flowering from June to August and fruiting from August to September. Distribution and habitat. This species is endemic to Xizang and Sichuan of China . It grows in grasslands, cliffs, at 1400–3600 m . Notes. The distribution in Yunnan is doubtful, and the specimen (Deqen, C. Y. Wu 4409 ( KUN )) cited by “ Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae ” is actually a misidentification of Silene esquamata . Silene markamensis is superficially similar to S. esquamata but distinct mostly by its basal leaves oblanceolate (vs. spatulate-oblanceolate), cauline leaves linear or linear-lanceolate (vs. broadly oblanceolate), calyx tubular, 2.5–3.5 cm (vs. 1.2–1.5 cm ) long, androgynophore 1.5–2.0 cm (vs. 0.5 cm ) long, limbs white or pale red (vs. pink). Additional specimens examined. China . Sichuan : • Batang County , Zhubalong village , east bank of Jinshajiang River Valley , hillside thickets , 2450 m , 29 August 1981 , Qinghai-Tibet Team 005195 ( KUN , CDBI , HITBC ) ; • Litang County , on rocky , 2000 m , 9 July 1930 , F. T. Wang 21682 ( KUN , PE , WUK ) ; • Litang County , on rocky , 1800 m , 18 August 1933 , T. T. Yu 2493 ( PE , CQNM , IBSC , LBG ) ; • Xiangchen County , sunny and grassy slope , 3100 m , 30 September 1973 , Sichuan Vegetation Team 3567 ( CDBI , KUN , PE ) . Xizang : • Mangkang County , ca. 9 KM on G 318 road from Rumei to Zuogong , roadside, on the valley slope , 29°34'38"N , 98°18'50"E , 3103 m , 13 September 2008 , T. Zhang et al. 08 CS 677 ( KUN ) ; • Mangkang County , Zhubalong village , near Xiquhe Bridge , dry-hot valley scrubs , 29°45'20.07"N , 98°57'37.33"E , 2525–2560 m , 19 August 2010 , Kham Expedition 10–2318 ( PE ) ; • Mangkang County , Zhubalong village , on the way from Sandaoban to Erdaoban, along National Highway G 318 , 29°41'51.8"N , 98°52'26.52"E , 2912 m , 15 August 2023 , F. Yang et al. MK 22974 ( YUKU ) .